College football notes: USC coach refutes racism claim

After Anthony Brown quit Southern California’s football team, coach Steve Sarkisian was stunned Thursday by Brown’s apparent accusations of racism against him on social media.

A photo of the words "Couldn’t play for a racist man!!!!" was posted on what USC said was Brown’s Instagram account. The posting was later deleted.

"Sark treated me like a slave in his Office," was posted in the caption to the photo, along with the hashtag "Fighton."

Sarkisian was told about the apparent posts from Brown, who is black, shortly after USC finished practice. The visibly upset coach called them "ridiculous," saying Brown had shown no indication he felt slighted or insulted in their relationship.

"If you ask anybody in our building, any of our players ... that’s about the furthest thing from the truth," Sarkisian said. "Quite honestly, I’m shocked."

Brown’s acrimonious departure is another blow to a program already reeling from the bizarre saga of cornerback Josh Shaw, who was caught in a lie about the circumstances in which he sprained both ankles. Shaw has been suspended indefinitely.

Sarkisian believes he shares blame with the athletic department for publicizing Shaw’s fictitious story about being injured while saving his nephew from drowning. Sarkisian also said Thursday that Shaw "potentially" could return to the Trojans this season.

Brown is a senior who played cornerback for the Trojans until this year, and started two games in each of his first three seasons. He played in only two games last year due to ankle injuries, racking up nine tackles at Notre Dame before missing the final eight games.

Brown switched to running back for his senior year, but he missed most of training camp with a hyperextended elbow.

"I had encouraged him to play," Sarkisian said. "I wanted him to play. I didn’t want him to quit, and I thought he could get healthy."

Several current Trojans and Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Matt Leinart immediately jumped on social media to defend Sarkisian, an ex-USC assistant.

ANOTHER IRISH PLAYER OUT: Notre Dame added reserve safety Eilar Hardy to the list of four Irish players being withheld from practice and games as the university completed its investigation into whether they may have turned in homework and papers completed by others.

Coach Brian Kelly said during a news conference Thursday that Hardy was not at practice. He played in 10 games last season, starting against Pittsburgh and BYU, and finished with 26 tackles. He did not play as a freshman or sophomore.

Kelly said he was pleased that the university’s investigation into possible cheating had been closed.

Hill’s performance in his first start proved there is plenty of life in the Aggies’ offense without Manziel, a Heisman Trophy winner and first-round selection in the NFL Draft. Hill finished 44-of-60 with three touchdowns.

Hill was steady and confident in the pocket, leading Texas A&M (1-0 SEC) to a 31-14 halftime lead.